Earnings Report
Mattel Inc. on Tuesday reported fourth-quarter earnings jumped about 83 percent from a year ago, boosted by strong demand for its Barbie, Disney and Hot Wheels lines.
The world’s largest toymaker earned $195 million, or 64 cents per fully diluted share, in the fourth quarter, up from $106.9 million, or 36 cents per share for the final quarter of 1996.
Sales were $1.6 billion from $1.4 billion last year.
For the year, Mattel earned $285 million, or 93 cents a share, compared with $372.2 million, or $1.23 a share, in 1996. Sales were $4.8 billion, compared with $4.54 billion in 1996.